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The Citizen, 2017-06-15, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017. Feeding people - times two Earlier this month as the weather began to warm, the Brussels Optimist Club, which has been busy making donations throughout the community, held an open house and barbecue at its clubhouse in the north end of the village to show off its renovations. Past -President Vern Logan, right, is seen here serving hungry diners. As a result of fundraising efforts that day, the club was able to donate $350 to the local food bank. (Quinn Talbot photo) Freedom marks seventh year Remembering Freedom Syrup in Walton has dedicated itself to remembering Canadian soldiers and supporting the families they leave behind if and when they make the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their country. Last year, Wingham's Laurie Dinning, mother of fallen soldier Matthew Dinning, was the guest speaker at the organization's annual dedication service. (File photo) Continued from page 11 from doing a great job doing it, Rowe said. "The thing about our product is you get value for your donation," he said. "We have some of the best syrup made in Huron County and you feel good about helping the people that are fighting for your freedom" Rowe said the only real connection he has to those serving the country is that he wants to give back to them. He had a great uncle serve in World War I, but really, the drive to help these people is something that he wants. In July, for example, his workplace, the Hensall Co-op, will be fundraising for the Families of Fallen Soldiers. Employees will pay $5 and be able to wear jeans to work on Fridays. "There's tragedy throughout the world and I think that now, more than ever, the threat of terrorists makes it imperative that we support those individuals past and present that keep us safe," he said. Some syrup is still available through McGavin's Farm Equipment, Rowe said, as is barbecue sauce made with the syrup, a new product for this year. "The goal is to have it all gone by Christmas," he said. "We don't hold product over. We don't usually have to. Whether it's because they feel good using syrup that supports the troops or whether it's just as good as people say it is, we're told that people have never had syrup that tasted better." Book Your Ad Now for the 2017 IPM Issue 35,000 copies in total Call The Citizen 519-523-4792 or contact sales representatives Brenda Nyveld & Heather Fraser e-mail: ads@northhuron.on.ca 43079 Hullett-McKillop Rd., R.R. #4 Walton All Vegetable Plants Buy 2 - Get 1 FREE 519-527-0761 Growing Every Year Remember Dad with a plant that will last! Trees including Memorial Trees such as Red Oaks, shrubs or his favourite perennial Great Selection of perennials, flowering shrubs and shade trees. Building permit fees to rise in M -T By Denny Scott The Citizen Morris-Turnberry has approved increased building permit fees in an attempt to make the building department a cost -neutral entity. Chief Building Official Kirk Livingston said that, as part of normalizing fees across the three municipalities which had jointly hired him, Howick, Morris- Turnberry and North Huron, he was also attempting to make the departments cost -neutral. "Since 2011, the building department has run an average deficit of approximately $40,800 annually," he said. The changes were announced at an earlier meeting and, after a short public meeting at Morris- Turnberry's June 6 meeting, the increases were approved seeing as how no feedback had been received save a question from the floor regarding exact costs for the increased fees. While the changes, which included nominal increases such as a $5 base permit fee increase, were approved by council, not every member of council was happy with the changes. Councillor John Smuck was against an increased penalty for ratepayers who start construction without a permit. "Have we always had four -times the cost of the original permit fee for starting construction without a permit?" Smuck asked during the public meeting Livingston answered that previously the penalty was twice the cost in Morris-Turnberry, which Smuck said felt more reasonable than four times the cost. After the public meeting ended, Smuck continued to criticize the change, saying that former Chief Building Official Steve Fortier told him he had never had to issue a penalty against anyone starting without a building permit. Deputy -Mayor Jamie Heffer asked why the increase was proposed by Livingston, who explained it was to deter people from starting without a permit. "We want to achieve compliance from the get -go," Livingston said. "It is to deter people from building without a permit." He explained that any building put up without a permit results in increased work not only for himself, but for whomever is putting up the building as well. "There is paperwork like the stop work order and the individual may have to dig up the footings of the structure to reveal them," he said. "I have charged that once on a house that started without a permit, however it wasn't in Morris- Turnberry." Councillor Jim Nelemans asked if contractors are aware of the fact that they need a building permit, and Livingston said yes, adding that the onus on following these rules is on both the landowner and their contractors. "We have to keep in mind that, from our side of the table, a landowner may want to pay the contractor and get the job going as quickly as possible," he said. "The responsibility is on the landowner, though they may want to take a contractor to court if a landowner felt it was the contractor's fault. I have not seen that yet" Heffer then asked Smuck if there was an alternative he would suggest and Smuck said the municipality should say it shouldn't be doubled since, for eight years, Fortier had never needed to issue one. Several council members argued to keep the penalty the same across the three municipalities and carried the changes as proposed. Are you tired of getting a second-hand newspaper? Be first in line and get your own subscription! One year subscription to The Citizen only $3600 Enclosed is $36.00 for a 1 -year subscription Name Address Town Postal Code On-line subscriptions available too at www.northhuron.on.ca Mail cheque & coupon to: P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, Blyth, ON NOM 1H0 Brussels, ON NOG 1H0